Well tools for submarine wells



Sept. 18, 1962 H. B. SCHRAMM ETAL 3,054,449

WELL TOOLS FOR SUBMARINE WELLS Filed Nov. 4, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 INVENTORS Harry B. Schromm George Max Raulins John.V. Fredd BY ATTORNEY Sept. 18, 1962 H. B. SCHRAMM ETAL 3,054,449

WELL TOOLS FOR SUBMARINE WELLS Filed Nov. 4, 1957 2 Sheets-Sheet 2 Fig.2

34 INVENTORS 32 Harry B. Schromm 33 George Mox Ruulins 2? John V. Fredd F i g. 4 ATTORNEY United States This invention is concerned with well tools for submarine wells and more particularly with hangers used in wells.

In the completion of certain types of wells it is necessary to support and anchor a string of well pipe inside a larger string of pipe, the usual situation being the suspension and securing of a string of casing in the upper end of a string of larger pipe such as surface casing.

An object of the invention is to provide a hanger for suspending and anchoring the upper end of a string of Well pipe or casing in a well against upward or downward movement therein.

Another object of the invention is to provide a casing hanger and a landing bowl therefor, said landing bowl supporting the casing hanger and the attached casing string.

An important object of the invention is to provide a casing hanger and a running tool therefor such that the hanger can be lowered into the supporting landing bowl thereby and locked in said bowl, the running tool then being released from the hanger and withdrawn from the well.

A further object of the invention is to provide a casing hanger which effectively and completely seals with the casing bowl but which can be elevated out of sealing position to permit circulation of cement or other fluid through and around the casing string, the hanger then being lowered into sealing and locked position.

Another object of the invention is to provide a casing hanger of the type described which, when set and anchored in position in the supporting bowl, is permanently locked therein against movement.

Additional objects and advantages of the invention will be readily apparent from the reading of the following description of a device constructed in accordance with the invention, and reference to the accompanying drawings thereof, wherein:

FIGURES 1 and 1a, taken together, constitute a view, partly in section and partly in elevation, of a casing hanger and a casing string attached thereto, the hanger being lowered by means of a running tool into a supporting bowl on a string of larger casing;

FIGURES 2 and 2a, taken together, constitute a view similar to FIGURE 1, showing the hanger installed and locked in the supporting bowl and the running tool actuated for detachment from the hanger and being withdrawn from the well;

FIGURE 3 is a sectional view taken along the line 3--3 in FIGURE 1; and,

FIGURE 4 is an enlarged fragmentary sectional view of the means for holding an expander sleeve of the hanger in place.

Referring now to the drawings, the numeral refers to a string of well pipe or casing whose upper end is threaded into the lower end of a tubular body 11 of a casing hanger 12. The casing is installed inside a string of larger diameter well pipe or casing 13 such as surface casing.

A casing bowl 14 is threaded to the upper end of the surface casing string and includes an upwardly facing internal annular support shoulder 15 near its lower end for supporting the casing hanger in a manner to be more fully set forth hereinafter. An internal annular locking atent ire recess or groove 16 is formed in the bore 17 of the bowl above the shoulder 15, and a pair of lateral flow pipes or flow wings 13 provide flow connections for external casing flow lines, the flow wings being spaced above the locking recess.

The body 11 of the casing hanger is provided with a downwardly facing external annular shoulder 1? which is engageable with the support shoulder, and a packing assembly 20, shown to be of the V- or chevron-ring type is provided on the exterior of the body above the downwardly facing shoulder. The packing assembly is retained against an upwardly facing shoulder 21 on the body by means of a tubular lug carrier mandrel 22 threaded on the body 11 of the casing hanger.

The upper part 23 of the bore of the carrier mandrel is relieved to provide an annular space between the interior of said mandrel and the exterior of the body, and a plurality of locking lugs 24 are mounted in corresponding radial windows or slots 25 in the mandrel. The lugs pro trude inwardly through the slots into the annular space between the mandrel and the body and are movable laterally inwardly and outwardly in the slots. Projecting cars 26 on the ends of the lugs prevent the lugs from moving completely outwardly through the slots. When the lugs are moved radially inwardly in the slots against the body,

their outer faces are completely retracted and do not project beyond the outer surface of the mandrel.

A locking sleeve 27 is longitudinally slidably positioned in the annular space between the upper end of the body of the hanger and the upper part of the bore of the carrier mandrel. When the sleeve is in an upper position, FIG- URE 1, in the annular space, its lower end 28 is positioned above the locking lugs and does not interfere with their lateral inward movement in the slots of the mandrel. The lower end of the locking sleeve is downwardly and inwardly beveled for engagement with corresponding bevels 29 at the inner surfaces of the upper ends of the lugs so that, when the sleeve moves downwardly, it earns the lugs outwardly in the slots 25 to projecting positions. As the sleeve is moved further downwardly within the annular space, its outer surface engages the inner surfaces of the lugs and positively holds said lugs in projecting positions. The locking sleeve is initially held in its upper position by means of a plurality of frangible screws 30 threaded in suitable bores of the lug carrier mandrel.

A split lock ring 31 having a cross-section roughly trapezoidal in configuration is disposed in an annular groove 32 in the outer surface of the casing hanger body 11. The outer face of the lock ring is parallel with the inner surface of the sleeve and provided with serrations or teeth 33 having downwardly facing abrupt shoulders. The inner surface 34 of the ring is downwardly and inwardly beveled, and the groove 32 is correspondingly beveled. The free diameter of the ring is such that it frictionally engages the inner surface of the locking sleeve but, the upper faces of the teeth being downwardly and outwardly beveled, the locking sleeve is slidable downwardly on the lock ring.

The lock ring serves to prevent upward movement of the locking sleeve 27 in that, if the locking sleeve begins to move upwardly, the teeth of the lock ring engage the sleeve and the ring is moved upwardly on the beveled surface of the groove 32. The ring is thus cammed outwardly into increasingly tighter engagement with the locking sleeve, which engagement limits or prevents such upward movement of the locking sleeve.

The upper end of the locking sleeve projects above the upper surface of the body when the sleeve is held by the screws 36 in the upper position shown in FIGURE 1. However, when the sleeve is moved downwardly to its lower position on the body, FIGURE 2a, its upper sur- 3 a face is in alignment with the upper end of the casing hanger body 11. j

A running tool 36 is provided for lowering the casing hanger and the attached string of casing into the well and includes a central tubular mandrel 37 which is threadedly Secured in the lower end of a tubular actuating sub 38, the actuating sub being in turn attached to the lower end of a string of running-in pipe 39. A tubular, housing 40 is longitudinally slidably positioned on the running tool mandrel, the upward movement of the housing being limited by the engagement of an upwardly facing internal annular flange 41 of the housing with an external annular flange 42 of the mandrel located approximately midway of the longitudinal dimension of the manderl. A retainer cap 43 threaded on the lower end of the housing holds a set of packing 44, shown to be of the V or chevron ring type, on the lower outer surface of the housing and engages a retainer collar 45 threaded to the lower end of the mandrel to limit downward movement of the housing on said mandrel.

A plurality of supporting keys 46 are disposed in corresponding lateral windows 47 in the housing and are slidable laterally therein between outer projecting positions and inner retracted positions, the outward movement of the keys being limited by projecting ears 48 on the ends of the keys.

When the housing is in its lower position on the mandrel, the external flange 42 is disposed behind the keys and engages their inner surfaces to hold them in projecting positions. The lower face 49 of the external flange is beveled to engage the correspondingly beveled. inner surfaces 56 at the upper ends of the keys to cam the keys outwardly to projecting position as the housing is installed on the mandrel and the mandrel is moved downwardly between the keys. When the mandrel is moved downwardly in the housing so that the flange 42'on the mandrel engages the flange 41 in the housing, the upper end of the external flange 42 is disposed below the supporting keys so that the keys are no longer held in the outer projectingpositions but are free to move inwardly:

snap ring is moved below the lower end of the housing and the retainer cap 43, whereupon the upper edge or surface of the snap ring moves outwardly to its free configuration and engages the lower face of the retainer cap to hold the mandrelin its lowermost position in the housing.

An O-ring seal means 54 is disposed in an internal groove in the flange 41 of the housing'and'sealingly engages the outer surface of the mandrel to prevent the flow of fluids therebetween.

Thus it is seen that, when the split ring is deformed so that its upper surface enters the housing, the housing is movable to its lower position on'the mandrel wherein the keys 46 are moved to and held in projecting positions by the flange 42 on the mandrel. When the mandrel is moved downwardly in the housing, the 'keys are freed for inward movement and the snap ring holds the mandrel in the lower position in the housing.

The running tool is assembled by installing the housing 40 in the body 11 of the casing hanger, the retainer cap 43 engaging an upwardly facing internal annular shoul-' der 55 of the hanger body'to limit downward movement of the running tool housing therein. The packing 44 of the housing seals with the inner surface of the hanger body and the keys 46 are positioned at the level of an annular locking recess 56 in the hanger body. The mandrel 37 of the running tool is attached to the actuating sub 38 and is inserted into the housing, the beveled face 49 of the flange 42 engaging the keys and positively moving them outwardly into expanded positions in the locking recess 56 in the hanger. The retainer collar 45 is then attached to the lower end of the mandrel to retain the mandrel in position in the running tool housing.

The actuating sub 38 is provided with a downwardly. facing shoulder 57 which engages the upper end of the locking sleeve 27 of the hanger when the running tool is installed in the hanger, and the engagement of the actuating sub with the locking sleeve (when the shearable screws 39 are intact) limits downward movement of the running tool mandrel 37 in the housing and in the hanger.

In use, the running tool is installed in the hanger, the hanger is attached to the upper end of the casing string 10, and the running in pipe 39 is attached to the actuating sub 33. The casing string is lowered into and through the casing bowl and the surface casing 13 until the shoulder..19 of the hanger engages the supporting shoulder 15 of the casing bowl to stop the downward movement of the casing string.

If it is then desired to circulate cement into the casing string to cement the casing string in the well, the entire string of casing is elevated somewhat until the packing 2d of the hanger is disposed above the flow wings 18. Cement can then be pumped downwardly through the running-in pipe, the running tool, the hanger and the casing, the return flow around .the casing string proceeding upwardly around the lower part of the casing hanger and being conducted outwardly through the flow wings 18, the packing 20 sealing with the bore of the casing bowl above the flow wings to confine the flow to the flow wings. The packing assembly and the O-ring seal means 54 confine the cement within the string of easing.

After the cement is circulated in as'desired, the hanger is again lowered until it is supported in the casing bowl 14, the packing 20 sealing with the casing bowl below the flow wings. Downward blows are then delivered to the actuating sub in the well-known manner by means of 'a telescoping joint or bumper sub (not shown) in the string of running-in pipe. Theactuating sub moves the locking sleeve downwardly on the body of the'hanger, the frangible screws 30 being sheared by the blows, and the looking sleeve moves the locking lugs 24 outwardly to projecting locking positions inthe recess 16 in the casing bowl. The locking sleeve slides downwardly over the lock ring 31, the serrations of the lock ring engaging the inner surface of the sleeve to'hold the sleeve in looking position against accidental upward movement.

As the actuating sub and the attached mandrel move downwardly to move the locking lugs of the hanger into locking positions, the splitring 51 moves below the lower end of the housing and moves outwardly below said housing to prevent upward movement of the mandrel relative to the housing.

The flange 42 of the mandrel is now disposed below the supporting keys 46 in thehousing and the keys are freed for inward movement to retracted position. Inasmuch as the ends of the keys and the ends of the locking recess 56 are correspondingly beveled, the keys are cammed inwardly to retracted positions if the running tool is now' moved upwardly from the well to remove it fromthe casing hanger of the well.

After the running tool is thus removed from the casing hanger, a smaller string of easing (not shown) such as an oilstring can obviously be installed inside the casing string 10 secured to the casing hanger '12, the oil string being supported and locked in the casing hanger by means of a similar but smaller 'hanger' for the oil string, the smaller hanger being supported on the shoulder 55 of the casing hanger and locked by means of the locking recess 56 in the same manner that the casing hanger 12 is supported and locked in position.

Thus it will be seen that a'casing hanger 12 has been.

shown and described which is readily and positively lockedv in position in a casing bowl on a string of larger or surface casing. It will be seen that the hanger is easily set at a depth remote from the drilling platform. The hanger, when installed in the casing bowl is locked against movement in either direction, and, further, the locking mechanism cannot he accidentally loosened.

It will be seen that a running tool for the hanger has been shown and described whereby the hanger may be installed and locked in position in the casing bowl, the running tool then being released from said hanger.

It will be seen that the running tool seals positively with the hanger and that the hanger seals with the casing bowl, so that, before the hanger is fully lowered into and locked in the bowl, cement or any suitable fluid may be circulated downwardly through the casing string to the lower end of the well. It will be seen that, when the hanger is locked in the casing bowl, the hanger seals with the bowl to prevent flow therebetween.

It will now be further seen that a casing hanger 12'has been illustrated and described which is provided with a stop means 19 engageable with a stop means 15 of the casing bowl 14 for limiting downward movement of the casing hanger, and of the casing string which is attached to the lower end thereof, in a casing string 13 and that a lock means or locking lugs 24 are receivable in a locking recess 16 of the casing bowl to prevent longitudinal movement of the casing hanger 12 in the casing bowl when the locking sleeve 27 is moved from the upper inoperative position shown in FIGURE 1 to the lower locking or operative position shown in FIGURE 2a. It will also be seen that locking means or locking ring 31 is provided on the casing hanger 12 to prevent upward movement of the locking sleeve 27 from the locking or operative position shown in FIGURE 2a whereby once the locking sleeve 27 has been moved by downward blows to the locking position shown in FIGURE 2a, the casing hanger is permanently and rigidly secured to the casing bowl and, therefore, to the casing string 13.

It will further be seen that the running tool 36 has been provided for the casing hanger 12 which includes a tubular mandrel 37 and a housing 40 disposed about the tubular mandrel and having locking means or lugs 46 engaged in the recess 56 of the carrier hanger and held in such casing hanger engaging position when the housing is in an operative upper position on the mandrel 37, being held in such operative position by a flange 42 of the running tool mandrel 37.

It will be further seen that the locking lugs 46 are free to move inwardly out of engagement with the casing hanger 12 only upon downward movement of the running tool tubular mandrel 37 which occurs simultaneously with the downward movement of the locking sleeve 27 whereby the locking of the casing hanger 12 takes place simultaneously with the release of the running tool from the casing hanger.

It will be further seen that means, such as the split ring 51, are provided to engage the housing 40 of the running tool after the locking means 46 have been freed for inward movement whereby the tubular housing 40 is removed with the running tool from the casing hanger.

It will also be apparent that the actuating sub 33, the tubular mandrel 37 and the running end pipe 39 provide a continuous flow passage therethrough whereby the running tool may move freely through a casing even though the latter is filled with fluids.

What is claimed and desired to be secured by Letters Patent is:

1. A well tool including: a tubular casing bowl adapted to be connected to the upper end of a well casing and having an internal upwardly facing stop shoulder and an internal annular locking recess formed in its bore; a tubular body removably positioned in said bowl and having a lateral window therein; an internal upwardly facing stop shoulder in said tubular body; an internal downwardly facing lock shoulder in said body and spaced longitudinally from said upwardly facing stop shoulder therein; a locking key disposed in said window for lateral sliding movement therein between an outer projecting position and an inner retracted position; means on said key engaging said body to limit outward movement of said key; a locking sleeve on said body slidable longitudinally thereon between an upper and a lower position, said sleeve being disposed above said key when said sleeve is in said upper position; means on said sleeve and said key engaging one another on downward movement of said sleeve on said body to move said key to projecting position, said sleeve engaging and holding said key in projecting position when said sleeve is in said lower position; an external downwardly facing stop shoulder on said body engageable with the upwardly facing stop shoulder in said bowl to limit downward movement of said body in said bowl; said key when moved to projecting position engaging in said internal annular recess in the bore of said casing bowl, whereby said body is releasably anchored in place in said bowl; means on said body engageable with a well conductor for support of the same therebelow; said internal stop shoulder and said internal locking shoulder in said body providing means for positioning and securing another well tool in said body; means on said body and said sleeve releasably holding said sleeve in said upper position; and means on said body and said sleeve engaging one another on downward movement of said sleeve to prevent upward movement of said sleeve.

2. A well head assembly comprising in combination: a tubular landing nipple adapted to be connected to a. well casing, said landing nipple having an upwardly facing stop shoulder and a downwardly facing lock shoulder therein, and a well conductor support means removably positioned in said nipple and including: a tubular body having a lateral window therein; an internal upwardly facing stop shoulder in said tubular body; an internal downwardly facing lock shoulder in said body and spaced longitudinally from said upwardly facing stop shoulder therein; a locking key disposed in said window for lateral sliding movement therein between an inner retracted position and an outer projecting position; means on said key and said body engaging one another to limit outward movement of said key; a locking sleeve on said body slidable longitudinally thereon between an upper and a lower position, said sleeve being disposed above said key when said sleeve is in said upper position to free said key for lateral movement; means on said sleeve and said key engaging one another on downward movement of said sleeve to move said key to projecting position, said sleeve engaging and holding said key in projecting position when said sleeve is in said lower position; means on said body engaging the stop shoulder of said nipple to position said body in said nipple, said key engaging the lock shoulder of said nipple when said body is in position in said nipple and said key is moved to projecting position; means on said body sealingly engaging said nipple when said body is in position in said nipple; said body having means thereon for providing for connecting a flow conductor thereto whereby said body may support said flow conductor therebelow; an internal upwardly facing stop shoulder in said tubular body; an internal downwardly facing lock shoulder in said body and spaced longitudinally therein from said upwardly facing stop shoulder, said stop shoulder and said lock shoulder in said body providing means for releasably positioning and securing another well device in said tubular body.

3. A wellhead assembly of the character set forth in claim 2 having means on said tubular body and said sleeve releasably holding said sleeve in its upper position on said body.

4. A wellhead assembly of the character set forth in claim 2 and including: means on said body and said sleeve engaging one another on downward movement of said sleeve on said body to prevent upward movement of said sleeve from such lower position holding said key in projecting locking position.

7 5. In combination, a tubular landing nipple having an internal upwardly facing stop shoulder and an internal downwardly facing lock shoulder, an anchoring device for installation and anchoring in said landing nipple, and an installing tool for installing said anchoring device in said nipple, said anchoring device including: a tubular body having a downwardly facing shoulder engageable with the stop shoulder of said nipple to limit downward movement of said device in said nipple; a locking means on said body and e'xpansible and retractable laterally of said body, said locking means having an upwardly facing lock shoulder engageable with the lock shoulder of said nipple when said anchoring device is positioned in said nipple and said locking means is in said expanded position; expander means on said body movable longitudinally thereon between an upper and a lower position, said expander means engaging and moving said locking means to expanded position when said expander means is moved to said lower position; means on said body sealingly engaging said nipple when said anchoring device is positioned in said nipple; means on said body and said expander means releasably holding said expander means in said upper position; means on said body engaging and holding said expander means in said lower position when said expander means is moved to said lower position; an upwardly facing stop shoulder in said body; a downwardly facing lock shoulder in said body; said installing tool including: a tubular housing having a stop shoulder engageable with the stop shoulder in said body to limit downward movement of said installing tool in said anchoring device; a holding means on said housing and expandable and retractable laterally thereof, said holding means having an upwardly facing lock shoulder engageable with the lock shoulder in said body when said installing tool is positioned in said nipple and said holding means is in said expanded position; a tubular mandrel positioned in said housing and slidable longitudinally therein between a lower and an upper position; a projecting means on said mandrel engaging and moving said holding means to expanded position when said mandrel is moved to said upper position in said housing; a retaining means on said mandrel engaging said housing when said mandrel is moved to said lower position in said housing to retain said mandrel in said lower position; and an actuating shoulder on said mandrel engaging the expander means when said installing tool is in position in said body and said expander means is in said upper position, said actuating shoulder moving said expander means to said lower position on said body when said mandrel is moved to said lower position in said housing.

6. In combination, a tubular landing nipple having an internal upwardly facing stop shoulder and an internal downwardly facing lock shoulder, an anchoring device for installation and anchoring in said landing nipple, and an installing tool for installing said anchoring device in said nipple, said anchoring device including: a tubular body having a downwardly facing shoulder engageable with the stop shoulder of said nipple to limit downward movement of; said device in said nipple; a locking means on said body and expansible and retractable laterally of said body, said locking means having an upwardly facing lock shoulder engageable with the lock shoulder of said nipple when said anchoring device is positioned in said nipple and said locking means is in said expanded position; expander means on said body movable longitudinally thereon between an upper and a lower position, said expander means engaging and moving said locking means to expanded position when said expander means is moved to said lower position; means on said body sealingly engaging said nipple when said anchoring device is positioned in said nipple; means on said body and said expander means releasably holding said expander means in said upper position; means on said body engaging and holding said expander means in said lower position when said expander means is moved to said lower position; an upwardly facing stop shoulder in said body; a downwardly facing lock shoulder in said body; said installing tool includingi a tubular housinghaw ing a stop shoulder engageable with the stop shoulder in said body to limit downward movement of said installing tool in said anchoring device; a holding means on said housing and expandable and retractable laterally thereof, said holding means having an upwardly facing lock shoulder engageable with the lock shoulder in said body when said installing tool is positioned in said nipple and said holding means is in said expanded positi om a tubular mandrel positioned in said housing and slidable longitudinally therein between a lower and an upper position; a projecting means on said mandrel engaging and moving said holding means to expanded position when said mandrel is moved to said upper position in said housing; a retaining means on said mandrel engaging said housing when said mandrel is moved to said lower position in said housing to retain said mandrel in said lower position; an actuating shoulder 'on said mandrel engaging the expander means when said installing tool is in position in said body and said expander means is in said upper position, said actuating shoulder moving said expander means to said lower position on said body when said mandrel is moved to said lower position in said housing; sealing means on said housing sealingly engaging said body when said housing is in position in said body; and sealing means in said housing sealingly engaging said mandrel.

7. As a subcombination, an installing tool for installing an anchoring device, said tool including: a tubular housing having a lateral window therein; a holding key in said window movable laterally therein between an expanded and a retracted position; a tubular mandrel positioned in said housing and slidable longitudinally therein between an upper and a lower position; an expanding means on said mandrel engaging and moving said holding key to expanded position when said mandrel is in said upper position, said holding key being freed for inward movement to retracted position when said mandrel is moved to said lower position; .a retaining means on said mandrel and said housing engaging one another when said mandrel is moved to said lower position to hold said mandrel in said lower position; and an actuating shoulder on said mandrel engageable with said anchoring device to actuate said anchoring device when said mandrel isimoved downwardly in said housing.

8. An anchoring device for use in a landing nipple having an upwardly facing stop shoulder and a downwardly facing lock shoulder and a lateral flow port, said device including: a tubular body having a downwardly facing stop shoulder engageable with the stop shoulder in said nipple to limit downward movement of said device to anchoring position in said nipple; a locking means on said body. and expandable and retractable laterally thereof, said locking means having an upwardly facing lock shoulder engageable with the lock shoulder of said nipple when said device is positioned in said nipple and said locking means is in said expanded position; expander means on said-body movable longitudinally thereon between an upper and a lower position, said expander means engaging and moving said locking means to expanded position when said expander means is movedto said lower position; sealing means on said body and said nipple sealingly engaging one another below said lateral flow port to close off flow around said anchoring device and through said fiow port when said anchoring device is in anchoring position in said nipple, said sealing means sealingly engaging one another above said lateral fiow port'to permit flow around said anchoring'device and through said flow port and to close off flow past said anchoring device above said flow port when said anchoring device is disposed'in said nipple and is elevated from said anchoring position; means on said body and said expander means releasably holding said expander means in said upper position; and means on said body and said expander means engaging one another to positively hold said expander means against upward movement when said expander means is moved downwardly on said body. v

9. An anchoring device of the character set forth in claim 8 wherein the body is provided with an internal upwardly facing stop shoulder and a downwardly facing lock shoulder for securing therein a suitable installing tool.

10. An installing tool of the character set forth in claim 7 including: a sealing means on the housing sealingly engageable with the anchoring device to prevent flow therebetween, and sealing means in said housing and said mandrel sealingly engaging one another to prevent flow therebetween.

11. A well tool including: a tubular body; a tubular housing having a lateral window therein, the housing being disposed on said body and annularly spaced therearound; means on said body closing the lower end of the annular space between said body and said housing; a locking key disposed in said Window and slidable laterally therein between an inner retracted position and an outer projecting position; a locking sleeve slidable longitudinally in said annular space between an upper and a lower position, said sleeve being disposed above said key when in said upper position to free said key for lateral movement; means on said sleeve engaging said key on downward movement of said sleeve and moving said key to projecting position; said sleeve engaging and holding said key in projecting position when said sleeve is in said lower position; an internal upwardly facing stop shoulder in said tubular body; and an internal downwardly facing lock shoulder in said tubular body spaced from said stop shoulder; said stop shoulder and lock shoulder in said tubular body providing means for positioning and securing another well tool in said body.

12. A well tool including: a tubular body; a tubular housing having a lateral window therein, the housing being disposed on said body and annularly spaced therearound; means on said body closing the lower end of the annular space between said body and said housing; a locking key disposed in said window and slidable laterally therein between an inner retracted position and an outer projecting position; a locking sleeve slidable longitudinally in said annular space between an upper and a lower position, said sleeve being disposed above said key when in said upper position to free said key for lateral movement; holding means operatively associated with said sleeve and said body holding said sleeve against upward movement on said body; an internal upwardly facing stop shoulder in said tubular body; and an internal downwardly facing lock shoulder in said tubular body spaced longitudinally therein from said stop shoulder; said stop shoulder and said lock shoulder in said tubular body providing means for positioning and securing another well device in said tubular body.

13. A well tool including: a tubular body; a tubular housing having a lateral window therein and disposed on said body and annularly spaced therearound; means on said body closing the lower end of the annular space between said body and said housing; a locking key disposed in said window and slidable laterally therein between an inner retracted position and an outer projecting position; a locking sleeve slidable longitudinally in said annular space between an upper and a lower position; said sleeve being disposed above said key when in said upper position to free said key for lateral movement; means on said sleeve engaging said key on downward movement of said sleeve and moving said key to projecting position; said sleeve engaging and holding said key in projecting position when said sleeve is in said lower position; means on said sleeve and said housing releasably securing said sleeve in said upper position; holding means operatively associated with said sleeve and said body allowing downward movement of said sleeve with respect to said body and preventing upward movement of said sleeve with respect to said body; an internal annular upwardly facing stop shoulder in said tubular body; and an internal annular groove in said tubular body spaced longitudinally above said stop shoulder therein; said stop shoulder and 10 said groove providing means for releasably positioning and securing another well tool in said tubular body.

14. A well tool for use in a landing nipple having an upwardly facing stop shoulder and a downwardly facing lock shoulder therein, said tool including: a tubular body having a lateral window therein; a locking key disposed in said window for lateral sliding movement therein between an inner retracted position and an outer projecting position; means on said key and said body engaging one another to limit outward movement of said key; a locking sleeve on said body slidable longitudinally thereon between an upper and a lower position, said sleeve being disposed above said key when said sleeve is in said upper position to free said key for lateral movement; means on said sleeve and said key engaging one another on downward movement of said sleeve on said body to move said key to projecting position, said sleeve engaging and holding said key in projecting position when said sleeve is in said lower position; means on said body engaging the stop shoulder of said nipple to position said body in said nipple, said key engaging the lock shoulder of said nipple to hold the body in the nipple when said body is in position in said nipple and said key is moved to projecting position; means on said body and said sleeve releasably holding said sleeve in said upper position; means on said body and said sleeve engaging one another on downward movement of said sleeve to prevent upward movement of said sleeve on said body and comprising an external annular groove in said body, said groove having an abrupt upwardly facing lower shoulder and a downwardly and inwardly tapered upper shoulder; a split locking ring disposed in said groove and having external serrations having abrupt lower faces and outwardly and downwardly tapered upper faces; said groove and said ring being disposed within said sleeve; said ring being of an undeformed size so as to engage the inner surface of said sleeve; said sleeve being slidable downwardly over said ring but the serrations of said ring engaging the inner surface of said sleeve and gripping said sleeve on upward movement of said sleeve, said ring being cammed outwardly into firm holding engagement with said sleeve by said upper shoulder of said groove to prevent further upward movement of said sleeve and said ring; and means on said body sealingly engaging said nipple when said body is positioned therein.

15. A well tool including: an outer tubular housing having an internal annular upwardly facing stop shoulder in its bore and an internal annular downwardly facing lock shoulder in said bore spaced longitudinally therein from said stop shoulder; means providing a lateral flow conductor through the wall of said housing from the bore thereof to the exterior thereof intermediate the ends of said housing and spaced from said stop and lock shoulders, said flow conductor providing for conducting fluids from the bore of said housing to the exterior thereof; a tubular body member insertable in said housing and having means thereon for connection with a well condoctor and having an external annular downwardly facing stop shoulder thereon adapted to engage the upwardly facing stop shoulder in said housing; laterally movable locking means carried by said body member and movable between an expanded locking position in which said locking means engages with said downwardly facing lock shoulder in said housing and an inner retracted position out of locking engagement therewith; and an expander member slidable on said body member and movable into engagement with said locking means to move said locking means into expanded locking engagement with said housing lock shoulder.

16. A well tool including: an outer tubular housing having an internal annular upwardly facing stop shoulder in its bore and an internal annular downwardly facing lock shoulder in said bore spaced longitudinally therein from said stop shoulder; means providing a lateral flow conductor from the bore of said housing to the exterior thereoffor conducting fluids from the interior of the housing to the exterior thereof, said flow conductor being disposed intermediate the ends of said housing and spaced from'said stop and lock shoulders; a tubular body member insertable in said housing and having means thereon for connection with a well conductor and having an external annular downwardly facing stop shoulder thereon adapted to engage the upwardly facing stop shoulder in said housing; laterally movable locking means carried by said body member and movable between an expanded locking position in which said locking means engages with said downwardly facing lock shoulder in said housing and'an inner retracted position out of locking engagement therewith; an expander member slidable on said body member and movable into engagement with said locking means to move said locking means into expanded locking engagement with said housing lock shoulder; and means providing an upwardly facing stop shoulder and a downwardly facing lock shoulder in said tubular body member adapted to position and releasably secure another well tool in said body member.

v17. As a sub-combination in a well device: an outer tubular housing having an internal annular upwardly facing stop shoulder in its bore and an internal annular groove formed in the wall of the bore of said housing and providing an internal annular downwardly facing lock shoulder in said bore spaced longitudinally therein from said stop shoulder; means providing a lateral flow conductor from the bore to the exterior of said housing and providing means for conducting fluids from the bore of the housing to the exterior thereof, said flow conductor being disposed intermediate the ends of said housing and spaced above said stop and lock shoulders; said lateral flow conductor providing means for directing fluids from the interior of said housing to the exterior thereof.

18. A well tool including: a tubular body; a tubular carrier member mounted on the body and having a lateral window therein, said carrier member being spaced annularly from said body; a locking key disposed in said window of said carrier member and slidable laterally thereinbetween an inner retracted position and an outer projecting position; a locking sleeve slidable longitudinally in said annular space between said carrier member and said body between an upper and a lower position on said body; said sleeve being disposed above said key when in said upper position to free said 'key for lateral movement; means on said sleeve engaging said key on downward movement of said sleeve and moving said key to projecting position; said sleeve engaging and holding said key in projecting position when said sleeve is in said lower position; an internal upwardly facing stop shoulder in said tubular body; and an internal downwardly facing lock shoulder in said tubular body spaced from .said stop shoulder; said stop shoulder and said lock shoulder in said tubular body providing means for positioning and securing another well tool in said body.

19. A well tool including: an elongate tubular body; a tubular carrier member mounted on the body and having a lateral window therein, said carrier member being spaced annularly from said body; a locking key disposed in thetwindow of said body and slidable laterally therein between an inner retracted position and an outer projecting position; a locking sleeve slidable longitudinally in said annular space between said carrier member and said body between an upper and a lower position with respect to said body and said carrier; said sleeve being disposed above'said key when in said upper position to free said key for lateral movement; holding means operatively associated with said, sleeve and said body holding said sleeve against upward movement on said body; an internal upwardly facing stop shoulder in said tubular body; and an internal downwardly facing lock shoulder in said tubular body spaced longitudinally therein from said stop shoulder; said stop shoulder and said lock shoulder in said 12 tubular body providing means for positioning and securing another well devicein said tubular body. a 20. A well head assembly comprising in combination: a tubular landing housing adapted to be connected to a well casing and having an internal upwardly facing stop shoulder and an internal downwardly facing lock shoulder therein, and a well conductor support means removably positioned in said housing and including: a tubular body having a lateral window therein; a locking key disposed in said window for lateral movement therein between an inner retracted position and an outer projecting position; means on said key and said body engaging one another to limit outward movement of said key; a locking sleeve on said body slidable longitudinally thereon between an upper and a lower position, said sleeve being disposed above said key when said sleeve is in said upper position to free said key for lateral movement in said window; means on said sleeve and said key engaging one another on downward movement of said sleeve to move said key to projecting position, said sleeve engaging and holding said key in projecting position when said sleeve is in said lower position; means on said body engaging the upwardly facing stop shoulder in said landing housing to position said body in said landing housing, said key when in projecting position engaging the lock shoulder of said landing housing to hold said body in place in said landing housing; seal means on said body engageable with said landing housing for sealing therebetween to prevent flow of fiuids therebetween; means on said body adapted to be connected to a well conductor for supporting the same therebelow; an internal upwardly facing stop shoulder in said tubular body; an internal downwardly facing lock shoulder in said body and spaced longitudinally therein from said stop shoulder, said stop shoulder and said lock shoulder in said body providing means for releasably positioning and securing another well tool in said tubular body.

a 21. A well tool comprising: a body provided with a longitudinal flow course, said body being adapted to support a well conduit from the lower end thereof, said body having an external downwardly facing shoulder stop means thereon; a first laterally movable means carried by the body and movable laterally outwardly with respect to said-body to a projected locking position; a second means movably mounted on said body for movement longitudinally of said body into a position engaging said first laterally movable means and moving said first laterally movable means into projecting position with respect to saidbody; an upwardly facing stop shoulder in the longitudinal flow course of the body; and a downwardly facing lock shoulder in the longitudinal flow course of said body and spaced longitudinally from said stop shoulder therein, said stop shoulder and said lock shoulder in said flow course in said body providing means for releasably positioning and securing another well device in said flow course of said body.

22. A well tool comprising: a body provided with a longitudinal flow course therethrough open at its upper end, said body being adapted to support a well conduit from the lower end thereof, said body having an external downwardly facing shoulder thereon; a first laterally movable means carried by the body and movable laterally outwardly with respect to said body to a projecting position thereon; a second means movably mounted on said body for movement longitudinally of said body into a position engaging said first laterally movable means and moving said first laterally movable means into projecting position; locking means carried by said body engageable with said second means for preventing disengagement of said second ineans'whereby said locking means holds said second means in engagement with said first movable means in position engaging said first movable means to hold said first movable means in projecting position; an upwardly'facing stop shoulder in the longitudinal flow course of the body; and a downwardly facing lock shoulder in the longitudinal flow course of said body and spaced longitudinally from the stop shoulder therein, said stop shoulder and said lock shoulder in said flow course in said body providing means for releasably positioning and securing another well device in said flow course of said body.

23. A running tool for a Well conductor support for positioning said support in a wellhead housing, said running tool including: an elongate member; a carrier housing longitudinally slidably mounted on said elongate member; lock means carried by said carrier housing and movable laterally thereon between an expanded locking position wherein said lock means is engageable with the wellhead housing and a retracted freeing position; said elongate member having a lock surface engageable with said lock means for holding said lock means in projecting locking position, said lock surface on said elongate member being movable out of engagement with said lock means to free said lock means for inward movement to retracted position upon downward movement of said elongate member with respect to said lock means; said carrier housing having external stop means thereon also engageable with the wellhead housing to limit downward movement of said carrier housing and permit downward movement of the elongate member relative to said carrier housing and said lock means to free said lock means for inward movement into retracted position; and latch means on said elongate member engageable with said carrier housing for holding said elongate member in a lower position relative to said carrier housing when said elongate member has been moved downwardly to such lower position.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,912,823 Church June 6, 1933 2,409,811 Taylor et al Oct. 22, 1946 2,577,068 Baker Dec. 4, 1951 2,698,056 Marshall et al Dec. 28, 1954 2,862,560 Bostock et a1 Dec. 2, 1958 2,862,564 Bostock Dec. 2, 1958 2,889,886 Gould June 9, 1959 

